Special Photo -- University of Georgia freshman Patrick Fennell (42) attacks the goal in the Bulldogs 13-6 win over the Florida Gators this season. Georgia enters the SELC tournament 11-3 overall and as the No. 2 seed from the Southwest Division.

For the ninth straight year, the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference tournament championship will call the community of Johns Creek home.

And for the ninth straight year, host-school Northview and tournament officials are expecting a record turnout at the three-day event.

“Over the past eight tournaments everything about the event from sponsor support to attendance has become better each year,” said SELC President and Tournament Director Doug Horn. “Last year’s turnout was among the best we have had [and] our tournament has become known around the nation as the best in the MCLA (Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association).”

The winner in each division will be crowned SELC champions and earn an automatic bid to play in the MCLA national championship tournament May 13 to 18 at Sirrine Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

The tournament, which is the 26th in SELC history, will commence on Friday with opening round games at Northview, Alpharetta, South Forsyth and Pope High Schools.

Semifinal and Championship games will be held on Saturday and Sunday respectively, all at Northview’s Titan Stadium.

“The lacrosse boosters at Northview continue to support this event with great enthusiasm and there are several Northview grads that play on SELC teams.

In fact, there are almost 200 metro Atlanta student athletes on SELC rosters which has become a strong connection for the community of Johns Creek and the surrounding areas,” said Horn.

Among the eight Division-I schools scheduled to participate in this weekend’s events are local powers Georgia Tech and Georgia.

The Yellow Jackets are led by former Milton lacrosse player Joseph Burton, a senior defensemen that helped Georgia Tech to a 12-4 record this season and a Southwest Division Championship.

Georgia, also 12-4, is the No. 2 seed from the Southwest and has the strongest local pull at the event with 15 former North Fulton lacrosse stars on their roster — including team president Conner Reed (Alpharetta), faceoff specialist Harrison Cassada (Milton), goalie David Lumsden (Northview) and freshman attacker Kyle Reed (Alpharetta).

Emory and Savannah College of Art and Design headline the Division II participants.

A three-day weekend pass is only $20 for adults and $10 for students.

Day passes are $10 for adults and $5 for students. All youth 9 and under will be admitted free, and all students in a lacrosse jersey are admitted free to all games.

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